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Fever in Children

What is a fever?

A fever is defined by most doctors as a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) and higher when taken rectally.

The body has several ways to maintain normal body temperature. The organs involved in helping with temperature regulation include the brain, skin, muscle, and blood vessels. The body responds to changes in temperature by:

Increasing or decreasing sweat production.

Moving blood away from, or closer to, the surface of the skin.

Getting rid of, or holding on to, water in the body.

Seeking a cooler or warmer environment.

When your child has a fever, the body works the same way to control the temperature, but it has temporarily reset its thermostat at a higher temperature. The temperature increases for a number of reasons:

Chemicals, called cytokines and mediators, are produced in the body in response to an invasion from a microorganism, malignancy, or other intruder.

The body is making more macrophages, which are cells that go to combat when intruders are present in the body. These cells actually "eat-up" the invading organism.

The body is busily trying to produce natural antibodies, which fight infection. These antibodies will recognize the infection next time it tries to invade.

Many bacteria are enclosed in an overcoat-like membrane. When this membrane is disrupted or broken, the contents that escape can be toxic to the body and stimulate the brain to raise the temperature.

What conditions can cause a fever?

The following conditions can cause a fever:

Infectious diseases

Certain medications

Heat stroke

Blood transfusion

Disorders in the brain

Some kinds of cancer

Some autoimmune diseases

What are the benefits of a fever?

Fever is not an illness. It is a symptom, or sign that your body is fighting an illness or infection. Fever stimulates the body's defenses, sending white blood cells and other "fighter" cells to fight and destroy the cause of the infection.

What are the symptoms that my child may have a fever?

Children with fevers may become more uncomfortable as the temperature rises. The following are the most common symptoms of a fever. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. In addition to a body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), symptoms may include:

Your child may not be as active or talkative as usual.

He or she may seem fussier, less hungry, and thirstier.

Your child may feel warm or hot. Remember that even if your child feels like he or she is "burning up," the measured temperature may not be that high.

The symptoms of a fever may resemble other medical conditions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, you should call your child's health care provider immediately. If you are unsure, always check with your child's health care provider for a diagnosis.

When should a fever be treated?

In children, a fever that is making them uncomfortable should be treated. Treating your child's fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any faster; it simply will relieve discomfort associated with fever. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years can develop seizures from fever (called febrile seizures). If your child does have a febrile seizure, there is a chance that the seizure may occur again, but, usually, children outgrow the febrile seizures. A febrile seizure does not mean your child has epilepsy. There is no evidence that treating the fever will reduce the risk of having a febrile seizure.

What can I do to decrease my child's fever?

Specific treatment for a fever will be determined by your child's health care provider based on: